Salaries at Michigan State University

At Michigan State University (MSU), located in East Lansing, Michigan, salary expectations for faculty and staff are determined by several factors, including role, academic rank, years of experience, and field of expertise. Salaries often vary significantly between disciplines, with fields like engineering and business typically commanding higher compensation compared to humanities or social sciences. Additionally, seniority and tenure status play a critical role in determining pay for academic positions. While MSU does not publish fully transparent salary bands for all roles, some data on faculty and administrative salaries can be accessed through public records as it is a public institution. However, exact figures may not always be readily available for every position or department.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $60,000–$80,000 USD per year, depending on the department. Entry-level roles often start at the lower end, with increases based on research output and teaching evaluations.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is $80,000–$100,000 USD annually. Mid-career faculty may see boosts from tenure status or securing research grants.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $100,000–$150,000 USD per year. Seniority, leadership roles, and external funding often contribute to higher earnings.
• Department Chair: Compensation generally falls between $120,000–$180,000 USD annually, reflecting additional administrative responsibilities.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Academic Advisor): Salaries range from $40,000–$60,000 USD per year, often tied to experience and specific job duties.

Salaries at Michigan State University are generally competitive within the context of public universities in the Midwest, often benchmarked against peer institutions in the Big Ten Conference. Faculty and staff can expect periodic salary adjustments based on performance reviews, promotions, or cost-of-living increases, though progression may be slower in certain fields due to budget constraints typical of public sector institutions. As a state-funded university, MSU adheres to public sector compensation guidelines, which may limit flexibility compared to private universities but ensures a level of transparency through publicly accessible salary data for many roles.